The need is in plain sight But…a void has developed.

EPA contributed $64 Billion to wastewater treatment plant construction and more for drinking water facilities since 1971. Local communities have contributed far more in infrastructure as it is estimated that $1.6 trillion has been invested in infrastructure since that time. It takes professionals to run these facilities and many are getting ready to leave the field. Congress had chastised EPA in the past for building facilities that did not work and in a partial response to Congress, technical assistance to be performed at publically owned treatment works (POTWs) was began in 1982 under 104g1 of the CWA.Congress included funds in the updated Drinking Water Act for training operators and a proposed update of the Clean Water Act included training efforts in both House and Senate versions for wastewater treatment plant operators.Although training continues under a portion of the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds as mandated by that Act, EPA stopped funding for the wastewater 104g1 training effort in 2008 after years of relying on Congressional extramural set asides. The network built since 1982 of trainers and the number of communities assisted has diminished significantly since funding for wastewater assistance stopped aggravating the current situation.It is up to states, professional organizations and their member associations, educational institutions and private industry to take up the slack as seasoned operators are replaced.This paper will illustrate the past funding of the EPA, challenge others to fill the void and act as a starting point for the subsequent speakers.